Meet Wayne Rooney – The Manager: Man United legend speaks for the first time since taking caretaker charge of Derby and prepares for a full-time job as he talks up Sir Alex Ferguson’s influence
- Wayne Rooney is part of a caretaker coaching team at Derby County following the sacking of Phillip Cocu last week
- Former England captain is helping prepare the side to face Bristol City
- Rooney reiterated his desire to make the move into management in years ahead
- He admitted to influence from Sir Alex Ferguson during time at Man United
- But Rooney said he wouldn’t copy every one of Ferguson’s methods
- He is currently working towards his A Licence before moving onto Pro Licence
Wayne Rooney has reiterated his desire to move into management as he prepares to take caretaker charge of Derby County – but the Manchester United legend won’t necessarily be imitating Sir Alex Ferguson in the dug-out despite his influence.
The former England captain is part of a coaching team set to take charge of the Rams in their Championship fixture at Bristol City this Saturday following the departure of Phillip Cocu.
And Rooney, who will continue playing for Derby as well as coaching, said: ‘I have worked with some very good managers and possibly the greatest of all time.
Wayne Rooney has reiterated his desire to make the move into management as he joins a coaching team taking caretaker charge of Championship side Derby County
Rooney could still play for Derby when they make the trip to Bristol City this Saturday
‘I am not going to say I am going to do it like Sir Alex Ferguson. You have to work with the players you have got and you have to manage players correctly.
‘But there are things you can take from other managers.
‘I am ambitious, I want to go into management. I have been quite open about that. I wouldn’t be an ambitious person if I sat here and said I didn’t want the job.
‘There is an opportunity to show the different ideas that you have.’
Rooney is currently studying for his UEFA A Licence and expects to have completed the course by June before starting his Pro Licence in July.
On his coaching badges and whether this affects the situation, he added: ‘I don’t think it has any effect. [Gareth] Southgate was completing his while at Middlesbrough and [Frank] Lampard while he was here at Derby.’
Asked about his best position, Rooney said: ‘I’ve been fortunate to play a variety of positions throughout my career. My best position is where I can affect the game and I can hurt the opposition.
‘Just by getting me on the ball and getting players into the game, bringing calmness into the team.’
The coaching team, which also consists of Liam Rosenior, Shay Given and Justin Walker, will prioritise lifting Derby off the foot of the Championship table after a dreadful start to the season that has seen them win just one of 11 games.
A 2-0 home defeat to Barnsley just before the international break proved to be Cocu’s final game in charge and he parted company with the club a week later.
More to follow
